BirdBrain Designs

bit by bit

January 19, 2012 by Birdbrain 2 Comments

Bit by bit, the third border is getting done. Although I am busy getting ready for Kenya, (prescriptions, supplies, last visits etc.) I also have time to sit and hook, time to think about what is coming and try to mentally prepare for it. One week tomorrow I leave!

Jennifer, my good friend and fellow rug hooker, and I have a friendly competition to see who will reach her goal and finish her big rug first. Of course Jennifer’s Jumbo is huge–much much bigger than Fireworks whose final dimensions will be approximately 57″ x 80″. And should I mention that she has a full time job? So it’s not really a competition, but just a way to encourage each other to stick with it.

parcels, parcels

January 19, 2012 by Birdbrain Leave a Comment

A parcel was waiting for me when I got home yesterday. Who doesn’t love a parcel even if you arranged for it yourself? I had ordered some Noodler’s ink and a new Flex Nib Piston Fill Resin Fountain Pen, (colour–Cardinal Darkness!!) from the lovely people at the Goulet Pen Company. It came promptly from the USA, no problems, and is everything I hoped for. I’ve been having fun in my journal this morning, just trying it out–and the ink does not smudge when I put water colour over it–how great is that? I first heard about the Noodler’s ink and flex pens from one of my favourite drawing blogs.

And speaking of parcels, these stickers and business cards arrive recently from Moo. The stickers are made from my drawings and hookings. You can use any image you like, and if you have enough images, each sticker in the book can be different. The business cards are half-size and a durable card stock. This is a website that is a delight to use–to my mind they have the dynamics worked out perfectly and a great fun product.

outside/inside

January 13, 2012 by Birdbrain 3 Comments

Yesterday was ice; today snow. Winter is back in Ontario. It is an excuse for reading by the fire and hooking by the window as the snow blows around in looping circles. Since this is an inside day, I thought it was a good time to share three articles I have lately loved–for outside and inside living.

1. Annie Liebovitz on How to Sustain the Creative Process: (full article here)

“Talent is something anyone can have. It can go away. It needs to be nurtured, taken care of. The best thing about getting older is that you kind of know what you are doing — if you stick with something. It doesn’t get easier. But you get stronger. Pilgrimage is an exercise in taking care of what I do. My books are my way of being able to express myself completely.”

2. Beauty and Wisdom from Steinbeck’s Letter to his son Thom (full article here)

First — if you are in love — that’s a good thing — that’s about the best thing that can happen to anyone. Don’t let anyone make it small or light to you.

Second — There are several kinds of love. One is a selfish, mean, grasping, egotistical thing which uses love for self-importance. This is the ugly and crippling kind. The other is an outpouring of everything good in you — of kindness and consideration and respect — not only the social respect of manners but the greater respect which is recognition of another person as unique and valuable. The first kind can make you sick and small and weak but the second can release in you strength, and courage and goodness and even wisdom you didn’t know you had.

3. Cold Weather Food from Ruth Reichl (delicious link here)

deb’s first hooking

January 11, 2012 by Birdbrain 5 Comments

I was delighted to receive a photo of Deb’s completed project from the rug hooking class in the fall. I love the pop of the colours as well as the inventive choice for the ground. And I must say the loops look very regular and even for a first hooking. I think we have a committed rug hooker here! Thank you, Deb! On to the next project.

And I must say, if you have your version of this little mat complete, please send it along. I love to see the variety and each individual ‘signature’.

hockney inspiration

January 10, 2012 by Birdbrain 2 Comments

I have loved David Hockney’s work since I saw an exhibition of his huge canvases in Boston in 1998. This is a painting from that exhibition–I have the poster on my wall. His use of colour and line influences my hooking. Lately, I have been fascinated by his work using the ipad. He has had several of these on the cover of the New Yorker, but this is my favourite (indulging my passion for shoes).

Talk about embracing the new. He is an inpiration!

new beginning

January 9, 2012 by Birdbrain 3 Comments

I have a new SLR camera–and I am learning slowly how to use it–and this photo demonstrates just how much I have to learn–first lesson this Thursday. I still couldn’t resist sharing this amazing downy just outside my window.

Below is a pillow I hooked a few years ago. It is called Mindshot and reflects the colour and shape of the things that were on my mind as I hooked it. As I am nearing the end of two years at Fireworks, I am beginning to think about a new project, probably a new rug. I begin with a rudimentary drawing usually, but the piece takes over once I begin to hook and I just follow along. It’s always a interesting journey.

progress

January 8, 2012 by Birdbrain 4 Comments

I have been hooking on Fireworks this week and I am almost finished the second long side. I am enjoying this hooking because I am striving for only the most general continuity in the borders. I have the overall colour palette but each paddle is unique, reflecting the day it was hooked and the internal and external weather.

Today’s, as I look at it now, seems to have more colour. Must be the sunshine and the warm weather we are having here in Ontario. I went for a long bike ride yesterday, most unusual for January, and am about to go again. Glorious.

moving on

January 4, 2012 by Birdbrain 4 Comments

I have my new Moleskine out of the package but have not drawn a single thing! Once I have finished this last tote–and it is close–I have promised myself to get drawing. I am inspired by Nina’s xmas day drawing and may try out orchids. They are so beautiful right now. I will be in Kenya for three weeks in February and hope to document my visit in drawings as well as photographs. So, in three weeks I will be shutting down the sewing machines and putting away the hook and frame until March. However, I should be able to blog on the weekends, if all goes well, so you may hear from me.

In the meantime, a new project. My sister has a great eye and fashion sense. She found this beautiful vintage buckle for me and has challenged me to come up with a use for it. She suggested a belt or closure for a bag. Hmmm. I love a challenge. I’ll tuck it away for now–but who knows where it will reappear. I saved the Bally strap in the previous post for 20 years before I found the perfect spot for it!

getting caught up

January 2, 2012 by Birdbrain 2 Comments

I have finished two bags which were ordered a while ago (one still to make). Both are unusual colour choices for me–but now that they are done I like them very much. The top bag is a two-tone Carissa–the black leather is from a pair of pants and the tan from an upholstery remnant with a tiny piece of caramel trim, left from a previous bag. The strap is an extra from a Bally bag I have loved for years. The tote is a happy one–cobalt blue with red accents. It has a zipper interior pocket and a large outer pocket on the back for a water bottle. I am now ‘scotchguarding’ these totes for additional wearability after I had mine in the rain next to my black suede coat. The slight gray tinge gives my bag character, but others might want to postpone the time when their tote has the ‘lived-with’ look.

Below is a scarf I found in my favourite second-hand store. It is 100% wool, made in the Orkney Islands. This scarf is a good example of why I love shopping second hand. I am enjoying trying those bright colours around my neck these cold afternoons–and maybe next year it will make a couple of pairs of great mittens!

favourites

December 31, 2011 by Birdbrain 2 Comments

For the new year, I thought I would make a list of my favourite sites, (apart from my very favourites listed on the side bar.) But these sites are the ones I go to almost daily for inspiration, information or company–there a couple of food blogs, two or three sketching and design blogs and an excellent place for essays and book reviews. It’s hard to narrow down the choice, there is so much wonderful stuff available, but these are the ones that I have visited most this year.